My hair loves this stuff. I buy it pre-bottled. I use it sometimes mixed with other things (oil, avocado, etc) for DT. I use it instead of gel for not so humid days, it gives a nice definition but not a strong hold. But the way I use it the most is in my homemade lotion, which I use after every co-wash (every other day). I mix it with coconut oil, v glycerin, honey, and a very tiny bit of olive oil (someone posted the exact amounts for this combination a while ago). My hair has been acting much much better since I started using aloe vera (and the homemade lotion) regularly.

My hair loves this stuff. I buy it pre-bottled. I use it sometimes mixed with other things (oil, avocado, etc) for DT. I use it instead of gel for not so humid days, it gives a nice definition but not a strong hold. But the way I use it the most is in my homemade lotion, which I use after every co-wash (every other day). I mix it with coconut oil, v glycerin, honey, and a very tiny bit of olive oil (someone posted the exact amounts for this combination a while ago). My hair has been acting much much better since I started using aloe vera (and the homemade lotion) regularly.

Originally Posted by generosityt

When you use aloe vera juice or aloe ver gel in your lotion, do you use a preservative ? How long does it last ?

I don't use a preservative because I make a little bit each time. I only make about 4 to 6 ounces so it will finish quickly and then I play with the amounts (more Aleo Vera, less honey, some shea butter, etc) and I can throw it away if I notice bacteria developing (it never happened to me though, I make sure I wash the bottle with warm water and soap before I refill again). Each combination lasts me at least 3 weeks and sometimes a month and I have a lot of hair, I'm sure it would last someone with thinner or shorter hair much longer.

Aloe is a staple for me. I use it in my shampoo and as a styler. Normally I use the gel and keep whatever I make with it in the fridge or I will use orange essential oils and helps it to keep for a week or two.

I have only used it a few times from the plant but that is because it is kind of a pain. Anyway what I did was cut the leaf of a few plants and mixed it with coconut oil then I applied it to my ends. I should mention my ends were pretty bad. This stuff helped a lot.

My hair loves this stuff. I buy it pre-bottled. I use it sometimes mixed with other things (oil, avocado, etc) for DT. I use it instead of gel for not so humid days, it gives a nice definition but not a strong hold. But the way I use it the most is in my homemade lotion, which I use after every co-wash (every other day). I mix it with coconut oil, v glycerin, honey, and a very tiny bit of olive oil (someone posted the exact amounts for this combination a while ago). My hair has been acting much much better since I started using aloe vera (and the homemade lotion) regularly.

Originally Posted by generosityt

When you use aloe vera juice or aloe ver gel in your lotion, do you use a preservative ? How long does it last ?

TIA

Originally Posted by taltal

Most commercial aloe gels and juices have a preservative (usually citric acid) in it which is probably why generosityt can use her products for a few weeks without it going bad.

Yeah, AVJuice is liquid. I still haven't figured out how to use it (any suggestions, ladies?).

I extracted the gel from the plant, but it went bad before I could use it. I added vitamin E but it didn't help.

The bottled gel you get from the health food store (dietary grade) is part chunky and part liquidy, but if you mix it up with something the chunks break down into a liquid state. Still haven't found a good way to use this one, either. Sometimes I just add it to a DT.

And finally, there's the aloe gel that's found in the tanning/sun care section of stores. Fruit Of The Earth is a popular brand. Lots of curlies use it as a gel and rave about its hold and elongating properties.

Yeah, AVJuice is liquid. I still haven't figured out how to use it (any suggestions, ladies?).

I extracted the gel from the plant, but it went bad before I could use it. I added vitamin E but it didn't help.

The bottled gel you get from the health food store (dietary grade) is part chunky and part liquidy, but if you mix it up with something the chunks break down into a liquid state. Still haven't found a good way to use this one, either. Sometimes I just add it to a DT.

And finally, there's the aloe gel that's found in the tanning/sun care section of stores. Fruit Of The Earth is a popular brand. Lots of curlies use it as a gel and rave about its hold and elongating properties.

Originally Posted by CheveuxSauvage

You can add some EO to liquid AVJ and use it as a revitalizing spritz. You can also add in a few drops of hair oil but since it won't mix in you'll have to shake it up before you use it. The chunky one, you can put in the blender and add the same as above for a spritz. You can also mix it with honey, yorgurt, avocado, bananas and whatever other goodies your heart desires for a DT. Mix it in a blender or use a stick mixer and voila.

Oh, I never thought of using either of them as a spritz! That sounds awesome, especially since I'm still trying to find the right combination of things that work for me as a spritz. I'll definitely try this; thanks, belasuna!!

Oh, I never thought of using either of them as a spritz! That sounds awesome, especially since I'm still trying to find the right combination of things that work for me as a spritz. I'll definitely try this; thanks, belasuna!!

Originally Posted by CheveuxSauvage

You can even do half water, half aloe and a few drops of lavendar EO and that will probably work as well as anything out there on the market. Oh, and add some glycerin if your hair likes it.

Does anyone use aloe vera gel/juice on their hair? If so, do you buy the actual plant or get it pre-bottled from the store? Also, what kind of regimen do you use to apply it, etc.?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by MissConstrued

I use aloe vera gel in my small spray bottle with herbal teas, jojoba oil & castor oil when I do my dry twists & for daily moisturizing. I get aloe vera gel in a bottle from Whole Foods & store it in the fridge once opened.

If I use aloe vera juice as a spritz with a little oil and/or conditioner, do I have to refrigerate it if I include a preservative? The aloe vera juice I have has a few preservatives in it already, and I would add some grapefruit seed extract to it. Thanks!

I bought a bottle today and used it. I have fine not very curly hair (type 2) but it does tame the frizz beautifully for me. I can also apply it to dry hair and it doesn't make it crispy like many hair gels do. I just bought a pure AV gel from the health food store. So far, so good. I like that it doesn't make your hair look like it's full of product.

I can't wait for the next wash so I can try it on damp hair instead of dry.

I heard that gel extracted from the leaves (at home) tend to change color because it's a natural thing, so maybe it didn't go bad it was just changing. Like the unrefined shea butters, they tend to change colors too.